Goa elections 2012: BJP promises to appoint Lokayukta in 100 days and a cut in petrol prices

NEW DELHI: The BJP, which has made illegal mining and price rise its key planks in Goa elections, promised a Rs 11 per litre cut in petrol prices by eliminating Value Added Tax (VAT) from April 2012 and a Lokayukta in 100 days if it came to power in the state. These were among the spate of assurances given in the party's poll manifesto "Goa Vision Document" released in Panaji on Sunday.

In its bid to reach out to the common man, the party also promised an unemployment benefit upto Rs 4,500 per month, affordable houses to everyone, regular monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 to housewives to cope with inflation and raising the social security benefit for senior citizens from Rs 1,000 to 2000 per month.

It also said a cash transfer of Rs 1 lakh will be made to account of a girl child on completion of 18 years of age for her marriage expenses. However, the party has not fielded a single woman candidate for the 40-member assembly election saying it could not find a "right candidate".

Party's national general secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday released the document at a function, where the party's chief ministerial candidate Manohar Parrikar and Lok Sabha MP from North Goa Shripad Naik were among those present.

Parrikar told reporters during the release function that all illegal mining cases would be referred to the Lokayukta. He said all those facing allegations of illegal mining right from the chief minister's office down to the bureaucracy will be tried by the ombudsman.

"All illegal mining cases will go to the Lokayukta. Government documentation available will be enough to prosecute them," Parrikar said. The BJP has alleged a Rs 25,000 crore illegal mining scam and has accused several cabinet ministers of being involved in it. The manifesto also assures dedicated mining corridors in Sanguem and Quepem talukas within 30 months and spending 60 per cent mining royalty on infrastructural development and revival of the ecosystem.

"Legal mining needs to be regulated. Dedicated corridors to be developed with two and a half years to ensure safer and trouble free transportation. 60 per cent of royalty received by government on mining will be used for infra structure, developmental projects, agricultural and environmental revitalisation in the areas affected by mining," the manifesto says.

Parrikar said the BJP would impose an environment cess on mining. It would also lobby with the Centre to increase the royalty share of the Goa government, which currently earns Rs 1,200 crore in the form of royalty for 51 million tonnes of iron ore exported annually from Goa's Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).

Meanwhile, the Congress' manifesto for the March 3 polls is likely to address land issues. Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is likely to visit Goa on Monday to release the manifesto, party sources told PTI.

The manifesto is understood to have addressed the worries about the real estate boom, and conversion of agricultural land for other purposes. It promises that sale of agricultural land would be permitted only if buyer is a farmer, possibly a local, the sources added.

SWEET PROMISES

BJP manifesto promises a Rs 11 per litre cut in petrol prices by eliminating VAT from April 2012.

The party also promises an unemployment benefit up to Rs 4,500 per month and raising the social security benefit for senior citizens to Rs 2000 per month.

BJP says cash transfer of Rs 1 lakh will be made to the account of a girl child on completion of 18 years of age for her marriage expenses.

The manifesto also promises regular monthly allowance of Rs 1000 to housewives to cope with inflation